Rafael Montero to replace Mejia in Mets rotation

New York Mets pitcher Rafael Montero throws during the fifth inning of an exhibition spring training baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals Friday, March 7, 2014, in Port St. Lucie, Fla.

NEW YORK – The infusion has begun.

Touted prospect Rafael Montero will replace Jenrry Mejia in the Mets’ rotation and start Wednesday against the Yankees, according to general manager Sandy Alderson.

Mejia now will serve as a reliever. He pitched 1¤ scoreless innings to pick up the win in Monday’s 9-7 triumph over the Yankees.

Class AAA Las Vegas starter Jacob deGrom also will be joining the bullpen today, as reliever Gonzalez Germen was placed on the disabled list with a virus.

Alderson said Montero is ready for the promotion, and placing Mejia in the bullpen will help fortify a unit that has struggled this season.

“The basic question we ask ourselves every day is what gives us the best chance to win? We understand that it’s a debut on a big stage,” Alderson said. “Rafael has pitched at Citi Field in the Futures Game, so not a totally unknown environment for him. And we think from a mental standpoint, he was well able to handle that kind of situation.”

Montero, 23, has made eight starts for Las Vegas this year, going 4-1 with a 3.67 ERA. Overall, he’s made 24 starts in Class AAA, which the front office believed was enough to prepare him for the majors.
In calling up Montero, the Mets are not following the same schedule they used to promote Matt Harvey and Zack Wheeler. Their debuts came after the Super Two deadline, which affects arbitration, and both were on the road. Montero will debut at Citi Field during the Subway Series against undefeated Masahiro Tanaka.

Montero will be limited to roughly 180 innings, and he has thrown 41 2/3 thus far. Alderson added that fellow top prospect Noah Syndergaard, who figures to be called up later this season, was not considered for this promotion.

“I think everybody in our system felt that [Montero] was ready,” Alderson said. “It doesn’t mean we’ll get a positive result on Wednesday, but we’re confident that Montero is somebody who can be successful long term.”

Montero will replace Mejia after the latter made just seven starts, going 3-0 with a 5.06 ERA. In his last three starts, Mejia pitched to a 9.82 ERA.

As Mejia struggled, it once again raised the question of whether Mejia is better suited as a starter or a reliever. Mejia has said he would like to be a starter, but he’s had issues this season going through a lineup for the third time.

“At some point, his wishes and our needs have to be reconciled,” Alderson said.

Adding Mejia to the bullpen gives the Mets another option for the late innings. Alderson said the team does not have anyone it can count on in the ninth inning. Closer Kyle Farnsworth struggled Monday despite picking up the save.

Mejia, who has expressed concerns that pitching in relief could potentially lead to injury, did not voice any displeasure with the team’s move. He recorded four outs spanning the seventh and eighth innings Monday.

“That feels pretty good,” Mejia said. “I’ve got to enjoy it. If they need me in the bullpen, I’ve got to be there because I never play for myself. I want to be a teammate. If they need me in the bullpen to win games, I’ve got to be there. I’ve got to do my job from there.”

Manager Terry Collins was impressed by Mejia.

“He handled the conversation we had today extremely well. He said I’ll do the best I can; I want to start, but I want to pitch in the big leagues,” Collins said. “He did an outstanding job. That’s how he got the name in 2010 — with the way he threw tonight.”